If they were to get their hands on the top-flight crown for the first time since 1990, then Barnes feels Van Dijk would hold serious claims to being recognised as the finest performer in the division.

The Liverpool legend told The Sport Review: "If he plays the way he does and Liverpool win the league [he could win the PFA award].

"We may not win the league but he can still do that if he continues to play the way he is playing and have the effect that he has. But it’s only halfway through [the season].

"If Liverpool lose the next 10 games and we lose 5-0, he’s not going to. He has a chance – and he has had a fantastic first half of the season."

Barnes is not surprised to see Van Dijk making such an impression on Merseyside, as there were never any question that he boasted the ability and leadership skills to be a shrewd addition.

The ex-England international added: “He hasn’t taken me by surprise because I know the quality he has but I didn’t expect him to have such a big impact on the team.

"He has helped them get the best defensive record. Alisson has helped that. A centre-half and a goalkeeper is a spine of a team. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and even Dejan Lovren are all doing better once they had a commanding centre-half alongside them.

"It is the obvious impact he has had on the defence."

Liverpool boast the best defensive record in the Premier League at present, with Jurgen Klopp’s side having been breached just 13 times in 23 fixtures.